Handen 1620 - 1664

This copper engraving, titled Handen, meaning Hands, was created by an anonymous artist. The process of engraving is critical to understanding the work. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate, creating grooves that would hold ink. The plate would then be inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. This printmaking technique allows for the creation of multiple identical images, a crucial development in the history of visual communication. Looking closely, you can see the delicate lines and cross-hatching that give the hands their form and texture. The artist's skill in manipulating the burin is evident in the subtle variations in line weight and direction. This print is not just a picture of hands, it is also a record of the artist's labor and technical expertise. Considering its production and the role of reproductive technologies, we are invited to appreciate the intricate relationship between process, skill, and artistic expression.